Jeep project underway

[Mike Kelly]

I am making new spring/shock plates, the originals are often bent/warped, the factory used 1/4" plate which is prone to bending as the axle U bolts are tightened up with 4 long nuts.

I found an old bumper bar and cut it up , it is a slightly heavier gauge that 1/4" so should hold up OK .

Looks like the jeep designers had weight in mind and they tried to manage weight versus the projected life span of the vehicle. The bumper bar is one example of the weight compromise, made from light gauge sheet steel with a wooden insert for added rigidity.